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Monday, January 10, 2011

l'Hôtel Drouot

No, today's post is NOT going to be another recipe for pumpkin or butternut squash soup, though I admit to downing two bowls of the stuff whilst posting and even more whilst nursing this $#@! cold. I'm turning orange from all the butternut, sweet potatoes and carrots I've eaten the last few weeks. In fact I'm taking you along to Hotel Drouot for a grand tour of just one of their exhibition rooms... Full of everything chef related and restaurant related.On the AirFrance flight over I happened to notice a tiny column on an exhibit of Henri Marquet sketches taking place at Drouot in Le Figaro and I thought why not? Little did I know I would walk into floor upon floor of amazing exhibits of all manner of objects. Including a Mickey Mouse/Disney collection, antique furniture and jewels of course, Art Deco travel memorabilia, plus this glorious huge collection of cooking/chef stuff...Hotel Drouot is Paris' main auction house since 1852 consisting of 16 exhibit hall. The exhibits change all the time and are completely free to enter.

If your hearts desire is to own a tiny chef cat waving a spoon you've come to the right place.

Though you will have to return for the auction and take your chances of winning this prize chat...

Artworks galore all chef related...

Are you mad for jellied eels in aspic?

You're in the right place...

A mini fore/stove outfitted with mini copper molds?

Absolutement parfait!

The joy is you can touch and examine all items to your hearts content. And photograph too.

It's expected - no one will say one word to you.

Never mind that from the outside of Hotel Drouot does not look so inviting or convivial. Once inside all is forgotten. It really is one of the best exhibit halls in Paris. Details of forthcoming auctions are published in the weekly Gazette de l'Hôtel Drouot, sold at newsstands and by subscription.

15 comments:

That sounds like a really neat place! Hope you're feeling better, Carol. We're getting ready to be hit by another big snow/ice here in NC, so I'm staying toasty--don't want to get sick. Love the photos here.

What a cool place to go visit. I want that Chef carrying the platter.. that is too cool. I thought of you this morning as my hubby was chopping veggies for another pot of our soup. I'm not sure if he likes the soup or the chopping more. :))

Your photos just keep getting better and better, expecially your close ups! The lighting is terrific.I love the exhibit - the figures and the posters - very unusual, but pleasing just the same!I hope that your cold goes away - and the hotel is right out of Soviet chic :)

reminds me of Christie's in NYC where you can see great museum merchandise for free! please check out my blog for the town and country article on paris pastry...I gave a nod to your blog!! have a great day!!

So funny that you mention pumpkin soup, it is my obsession right now to replicate the one I had at the Spotted Pig (in W. Village) recently - it has farro and bacon in it and tastes like stuffing. I loved it and I thought I was sick of squashes.

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♥carol gillott♥

Paris, Ile de France, France

I moved to Paris 2 years ago. I should have done it sooner but that's how the macaron crumbles. Living on the Ile Saint Louis next to the Seine after the 19eme is 'la cerise sur la gâteau'. It doesn't get any better. I've painted watercolors for Bocuse, Champagne Mumm, Guerlain, Frederick Cassel, The Russian Tearoom and the Maharana of Udaipur.
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